A new Leeds 2023 pop-up hub has opened on the ground floor of popular shopping and leisure destination, Trinity Leeds. Free events, activities, exhibitions and a new range of merchandise will be showcased in the heart of the city centre, 7 days a week until the end of the year, as part of the city’s Year of Culture.
The first event to be held in the space gives local people the chance to express their individual style and identity. Leeds-based American photographer, Casey Orr, will be delivering photoshoots in the hub on selected Wednesdays and Saturdays until 28th June. The results will feature in ‘Saturday Town’, an award-winning photographic portrait project exploring identity and self-expression through fashion and portraiture, on display from 6th-20th July.
The Leeds 2023 team have helped design and create a new range of merchandise which is available in the hub. The special collection includes tops, hoodies, beanies, water bottles and limited edition collaborations with artists, with the first item available now: a T-shirt designed by Burley Banksy. With more items released throughout the year, any profits from the sale of products will be reinvested back into the Leeds Culture Trust, the charity behind LEEDS 2023, to help fund further cultural activities planned throughout the year.
Abigail Scott Paul, director of external relations and strategic partnerships at Leeds 2023, said “We’re thrilled to be opening our very own LEEDS 2023 hub in one of the busiest shopping areas of the city. Enormous thanks go to Trinity Leeds for supporting us with this prime location so that we can place culture and creativity in everyday locations for everyone to access.
“Look out for our brightly coloured new hub at Trinity Leeds where Leeds 2023 staff and volunteers will be on hand to welcome anyone curious about how to get involved in the exciting events and activities we have planned for the rest of the year.”
Landsec were announced as a headline sponsor of Leeds 2023 last year. Landsec is a long term investor in Leeds, where it owns and operates two of the region’s leading retail destinations: Trinity Leeds and the White Rose Shopping Centre.
Steven Foster, centre director at Trinity Leeds, which is an official Leeds 2023 headline partner, said: “Leeds is an internationally renowned city, known for both its culture and its people. 2023 is our opportunity to come together to celebrate the best our community has to offer, and to inspire the next generation of creative talent.
“Trinity connects the community of Leeds by providing spaces for people to come together to socialise, study or experience something new so it’s the perfect location for Leeds 2023 to call home. Their new hub gives people the chance to access art and culture right in the heart of the city centre and will be a hive of creativity over the next year.”
